As a banner unfurled from the wall at the Wah Wah Jones Gymnasium on Friday with a packed gym full of Harlan and Harlan County basketball fans on hand to watch, former Harlan standout Jordan Brock took the final step for the greatest of the great in the game as she moved from star to legend.
“Jordan was a generational player who was committed to greatness,” said former Harlan girls coach. Derrick Akal, who now coaches the Harlan boys. “So to see her get her just due makes me happy for her.”
Brock checked all the boxes for basketball greatness, both as an individual with all-state honors and a county record 2,997 points that earned her a Division I scholarship to Tennessee Tech, where she earned. All Ohio Valley Conference honors. She also enjoyed massive team success as Harlan made four straight trip to the 13th Region Tournament finals with regional titles as a junior and senior, not to mention a runner-up finish in the state All “A” Classic.
Brock, who now teaches and coaches basketball at a middle school in Nashville, said the doubleheader against county rival Harlan County reminded her of many intra-county battles during what should be remembered as the greatest era of county basketball with Brock at Harlan and Blair Green at Harlan County. The Lady Dragons played in four straight regional finals, including two against Harlan County that led to state tournament trips. The Lady Bears also played in four straight regional championships with one title and the program’s first trip to the Sweet Sixteen.
Fans from both sides applauded as Brock stood at center court with Akal, as well as Harlan Independent Schools Superintendent Jennifer Parsons and Harlan High School Principal Mike Bolton as her banner was unfurled by HHS athletic director Tiffany Hamm, who is one of the two earlier Harlan girls basketball standouts with banners. Debbie Hoskins Green, Blair Green’s mom, is the only other member of the elite group.
“It’s honestly a dream come true. I remember being in the sixth grade and telling coach Akal that I want a banner in the gym,” Brock said. “It’s so special he got to stand beside me and we saw it through together. We’ve been through some tough times and good times. I’m just thankful it happened and thankful to everyone who made it possible. I couldn’t be here without my teammates and the memories of knowing what we accomplished. It was really big for a Class A school. Getting to the finals four times and winning two is something I’ll never forget. I hope we inspired some little girls who can dream big and do the same thing.”